§ SIR THOMAS LEA (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he is aware that, in addition to the inefficient nursing of sick poor, there are other serious charges of mismanagement in Irish workhouses as well as their excessive number; and, having regard to the public interest in the question, whether he will consider the desirability of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the working of the Poor Law system in Ireland?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIn the discussion that took place last night on the Vote for the Local Government Board, I spoke on the general question of the Administration of the Irish Poor Laws and of workhouse management, and stated that if I found any difficulty in obtaining the information necessary to enable me to arrive at a conclusion, I would not be averse to the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole subject.